Rear-view-mirror bracket



March 10, 1931. J. c. LEHMANN 1,795,871

REAR VIEW MIRROR BRACKET Filed Sept. 22, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 10, 1931. I c, LEI-[MANN 1,795,871

REAR VIEW MIRROR BRACKET Filed Sept. 22, 1930 2 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR 1e mobile without any change in 0 a hinge pin in Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JULIUS C. LEHMANN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO PHILIP RAU'CH, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK REAR-VIEW-MIRROR BRACKET Application This invention relates to improvements in rear-view mirrors and their attachment on automobiles or similar vehicles, and more particularly relates to the means for attaching 5 such rear-view mirror to a door hinge on the door forward of the driver.

It is the object of my invention to povide a satisfactory outside rear-view mirror which can be easily and quickly applied to the autothe automobile structure and without the necessity for the use of complicated tools or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bracket for rear-view mirrors which may be attached to the hinge pin in the upper front door hinge of an automobile so that the mirror is always in position to reflect rearview traflic conditions.

It is another object of this invention to provide a securing means for attaching a rear view mirror adjacent the upper front corner of a motor vehicle body, without deforming or altering the body to permit observation of rear traflic conditions.

It is still a further feature of this invention to provide means for supporting an object on a hinge of a vehicle door.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description, together with the attached drawings illustrating the preferred forms of embodiment thereof, and in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the mirror and attaching bracket showing a hinge and also dotted outline.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the same.

Figure 3 shows a view similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of bracket.

Figure 4; is a bottom view of the same.

A motor vehicle (not shown) is provide with the customary front door 12 through which the operator may observe rear traiiic conditions asreflected in the mirror 14:. This mirror is provided with a reflecting surface 16 which may have either a concave surface, or the usual plane surface, the only difference being that the plane mirror reflects directly, where the concave mirror concentrates the image of the traflic conditions thereon. The backing plate 38 is also provided to reinforce "per arm 26 of which filed September 22, 1930. Serial No. 433,565.

the support for the mirror and it may preferably be suitably plated to improve the appearance of the mirror.

I he mirror 16 is supported by a bracket 18 whlch is comprised of a central horizontal extending axis 18a on which the mirror lug 20 is secured.

The lug 20 is provided with an opening to plvotally receive the shank of a bolt 24, the

latter threadedly engaging zontal extending axis 18a.

Between the lug the central hori- 20 and the head of the nut 24, is interposed a split washer 28 which co-operates with the head of the nut 24: to

retain the mirror in adjusted position with relation to the extending axis of the axis 18a is threaded to engage a end screw 21 which extends thr 18a. The other ough an orifice of a substantially U-shaped member 22, the upopened recess 26a therein,

has a downwardly and the lower arm 30 of which is also suitably'recessed at 30a,

which opens upwardly for a hereinafter shown.

A. nut 32 screw threaded a bolt 29 having a perma adapted to force the arms U-shaped member The front door 12 of the by the hinge 35 having tatably secured in the door jamb. The upper has the usual crown over purpose to be on the end 28 of nent head 29', is 26 and 30 of the 22 towards each other.

vehicle is hinged the pin 37 non-robutt attached to the end of this pin 37 which the recess 26a in the U-shaped member securely fits.

The lower extension of the the hinge 85 and extends the lower arm 30 of the below the butt of into the recess 30a in U-shaped member or yoke It will thus be seen that toward each other so that pin 37 projects 22. by adjustment of d the nut 32, the arms 26 and 30 are forced the ends thereof are forced in contact with the hinge pin. As the hinge pin does not rotate no matter whether the door is moved or not, it is a fixed support for the mirror and the mirror may be permanently secured in place thereto.

The nut 32 provides for in one plane, and angular movement The operator may adjust angular movement the nut 24 provides for in the other plane.

the mirror in this pin manner in order to clearly observe conditions to the rear of the vehicle, and the mirror is outside of the vehicle and not subject to steaming glass or drawn curtains or internal reflections or any other objectlons.

A modified form of mirror bracket is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The extended projection of the bracket which is attached to the lug 20 of the mirror 1n a manner here inbefore mentioned is T-shaped in form and comprises the central horizontal extending axis 18 and the cross portion 19', the latter having studs 38 projecting from each of the ends thereof. The bracket is provided with upper and lower elements 39 and 4t), respectively, the upper element 39 of wh1ch has a downwardly projecting portion 41 to which is secured therein in any suitable manner a stud 42 which is adapted to project through an opening in the lower portion 40 to engage a nut 32' by which the lower portion 1s pivotally supported on the stud 42 of the upper element 39. The outer ends of the elements 39 and 40 are provided with recesses 43, within which extend the studs 38.

The inner ends of the said elements 39 and 40 are provided with recesses 26 and 30, respectively, similar to the recesses 26a and 30a shown in Figure 1 and for a purpose identical as that described hereinbefore.

It will thus be seen that by adjustment of the nut 32, the lower element 40 of the bracket may be forced upward to co-operate with the upper element 39015 the bracket to force the outer ends of eachthereof in contact with portion 19 of the T-shaped extended projection and the inner ends of each thereof in contact with the hinge pin. In this form of bracket, not only the angular movements hereinbefore described, but also the lateral radial movements of the T-shaped member with relation to the parallel clamp, may be accomplished.

It is possible that in some vehicles the hinge pin may be secured to the movable half of the hinge so thatwhen the door opens, the mirror will open with it. Under such circumstances, it will be necesary to secure the permanently to the movable half of the hinge in order that when the door closes the mirror will again be in the proper focused position.

The important point however, is that no matter which type is used, the mirror does not extend sufliciently far beyond the side of the vehicle, to be struck and does not in anyway'interfere with the opening of the door. It is unobstrusive, out of the way, and yet highly convenient, easily adjusted and always available.

This mirror is adapted to be attached to a door hinge without the requirement of tools and does not necessitate extensive changes, or, in fact, any changes being made in the vehicle body. The usual hinge and hinge pin is used and removal or changing of the hinge pin is unnecessary.

It is an accessory which is compact in form and which will successfully satisfy the condition for which constructed, namely, that of reflecting rear-view positions accurately and permanently without being subject to vibration or any other disturbance of adjustment, or any interference due to adverse driving conditions.

It is understood that any reflector or any other object may be substituted for the rearview mirror, the essential feature of the invention being in the provision of a bracket for a door hinge of an automobile body.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of embodiment of this invention, I am well aware that other modifications may be made and I, therefore, desire a broad interpretation of the invention within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure herein and the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A bracket for a door hinge of the class described, comprising an element having downwardly opening recesses therein, a second element removably and telescopically secured to said former element to form a clamp, and having upwardly opening recesses therein in alinement with the recesses in said former element, and a member, said clamp receiving the ends of the usual hinge pin and the ends of said member in the corresponding alined recesses.

-2. A reflector bracket for a door hinge of the class described comprising an element having downwardly opening recesses therein, and provided with a downwardly extending portion disposed between said recesses, a second element removably and telescopically secured to the downwardly extending portion of said former elementto form a clamp and having upwardly opening recesses each in alinement with a corresponding recess in said former element, and a member securing a reflector to the bracket, said clamp receivin the ends of the' usual hinge pin and sai member in the respective alined recesses.

3. In combination with a door-hinge having a pintle with protruding ends, a T-shaped member, a bracket, said bracket comprising a yoke having recesses adapted to embrace the ends of the pintle and recesses adapted to embrace the opposed ends of said member, and means to clamp the yoke over the ends of the hinge pin and said member.

Signed at New York, in the county and State of New York, this 22nd day of August,

JULIUS O. LEHMANN. 

